Method for accessing a network by using a virtual UE scheme

Abstract

A method of accessing a network by using a virtual UE scheme and a UE thereto are disclosed. The method includes performing a first random access procedure for a first DU group including one or more DUs with respect to a base station, performing a second random access procedure for a second DU group with respect to the base station, while maintaining a connection of the first DU group with the base station, and communicating with the base station via the first DU group and the second DU group.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of communicating with a cell by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:
 receiving system information on the cell by performing a cell search; 
 determining a number of distributed antenna units, for accessing the cell, based on the system information on the cell, 
 wherein the UE comprises a plurality of distributed antenna units; 
 performing, respectively, a random access procedure for each of the determined number of distributed antenna units with respect to the cell, based on different random access resources; and 
 communicating with the cell via the determined number of distributed antenna units, 
 wherein an identical radio bearer is configured for the determined number of distributed antenna units. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the random access procedure, for each of the determined number of distributed antenna units, are performed based on different random access preamble sequences, respectively. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the different random access preamble sequences are selected randomly among a plurality of available sequences, or
 wherein one random access preamble sequence among the different preamble sequences is selected randomly among the plurality of available sequences and remaining random access preamble sequences are selected by applying a predetermined value to an index for the one random access preamble sequence. 
 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a message notifying different UE IDs allocated for each of the determined number of distributed antenna units, respectively. 
 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting a signal informing that the determined number of distributed antenna units are associated with the UE. 
 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of distributed antenna units are distributed in connection with each other over a vehicle and are connected to a central unit (CU). 
     
     
       7. A user equipment (UE) for communicating with a cell, the UE comprising:
 a transmitter; 
 a receiver; and 
 a processor, operatively coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, 
 wherein the processor is configured to: 
 control the receiver to receive system information on the cell by performing a cell search; 
 determine a number of distributed antenna units, for accessing the cell, based on the system information on the cell, 
 wherein the UE comprises a plurality of distributed antenna units; 
 perform, respectively, a random access procedure for each of the determined number of distributed antenna units with respect to the cell, based on different random access resources; and 
 communicate with the cell via the determined number of distributed antenna units, wherein an identical radio bearer is configured for the determined number of distributed antenna units.